On the Great Significance of the "Second Integration" from the Connotation of Ideological Emancipation

Ideological emancipation is the precursor to social change and the source of social vitality. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The 'Second Integration' is another ideological emancipation, allowing us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture within a broader cultural space to explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future." This important exposition profoundly reveals the great significance of the "Second Integration" from the height of ideological emancipation, enabling us to possess more favorable conditions in ideological understanding for resolving the "ancient-modern and Chinese-Western debate." [1]1 Xi Jinping, "Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects – Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China" (October 16, 2022). From a scholarly perspective, an accurate understanding of ideological emancipation itself and its connotation is the prerequisite for deeply comprehending the significance of the "Second Integration" as ideological emancipation. Taking the basic elements constituting ideological emancipation—namely, adhering to correct thought as guidance, criticizing dogmatism and subjective biases, and studying new situations to solve new problems—as the starting point to inquire into the great significance of the "Second Integration" helps to further understand the original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.

思想解放是社会变革的先导，是社会活力的来源。习近平总书记指出：“‘第二个结合’是又一次的思想解放，让我们能够在更广阔的文化空间中，充分运用中华优秀传统文化的宝贵资源，探索面向未来的理论和制度创新。”这一重要论述，从思想解放的高度深刻揭示出“第二个结合”的重大意义，使我们在思想认识上具备了破解“古今中西之争”的更为有利的条件。从学理上讲，对思想解放本身及其内涵的准确认识，是深入理解“第二个结合”的思想解放意义的前提。以构成思想解放的基本要素，即坚持以正确的思想为指导、批判教条主义和主观偏见、研究新情况并解决新问题，作为出发点来追问“第二个结合”的重大意义，有助于进一步理解习近平文化思想的原创性贡献。

Adhering to the Guidance of the Scientific Theory of Marxism

坚持马克思主义科学理论指导

In a general sense, ideological emancipation signifies the transformation of concepts and the deepening of understanding, thereby studying new situations and solving new problems. It is manifested both in the realm of ideas and as a social phenomenon. The essence of ideological emancipation lies in seeking truth from facts, that is, making thought conform to reality and making the subjective conform to the objective. General Secretary Xi Jinping's emphasis that "the 'Second Integration' is another ideological emancipation" satisfies the general definition of ideological emancipation while also having its specific context. This specificity is first manifested in adhering to the guidance of Marxism. As Deng Xiaoping said: "What does it mean to emancipate the mind? When we talk about emancipating the mind, we mean, under the guidance of Marxism, breaking free from the shackles of habitual forces and subjective prejudices, studying new situations, and solving new problems." The fundamental attribute of ideological emancipation, namely its ideological nature, inherently determines that adhering to the guidance of correct thought is the prerequisite for ideological emancipation. The "Second Integration," as ideological emancipation, is no exception.

从一般意义上说，思想解放意指观念的转化、认识的深化，进而研究新情况、解决新问题。它既体现在观念领域，也是一种社会现象。思想解放的本质在于实事求是，也就是使思想和实际相符合，使主观和客观相符合。习近平总书记强调的“‘第二个结合’是又一次的思想解放”，在满足思想解放的一般定义的同时，也有其特殊的语境。这种特殊性首先表现为，坚持以马克思主义为指导。正如邓小平所说：“什么叫解放思想？我们讲解放思想，是指在马克思主义指导下打破习惯势力和主观偏见的束缚，研究新情况，解决新问题。”思想解放的根本属性即思想性，内在地决定着坚持正确思想的指导是思想解放的前提。作为思想解放的“第二个结合”亦是如此。

In fact, the character "同" (with/together) in "the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China's fine traditional culture" itself already indicates the dominant position and guiding role of Marxism in the "Second Integration." In this major proposition, what is used is not the characters "和" or "与," which denote equal juxtaposition, but the character "同," which indicates the existence of primary and secondary distinctions within a juxtapositional relationship. [2]2 "Regular understanding" (规律性认识) is a standard CPC term for theoretical insights that capture the objective laws of a given process. The reason for emphasizing the guiding role of thought of Marxism in the "Second Integration" as ideological emancipation lies not only in the fact that Marxism is a scientific worldview; only by adhering to its positions and viewpoints and consolidating its guiding position in the ideological domain can the correct direction of ideological emancipation be ensured, and the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture be better realized. It also lies in the fact that Marxism is a scientific methodology; only by adhering to it as a guide can we fully excavate and effectively activate the excellent factors in traditional Chinese culture, organically integrate them with the concrete realities of the New Era, make them correspond with the historical mission of national rejuvenation, and better play the role of ideological emancipation.

事实上，“马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合”中的“同”，本身即已表明马克思主义在“第二个结合”中的主体地位和指导作用。在这一重大命题中，使用的不是表示同等并列关系的“和”“与”两字，而是表明并列关系中同时存在主次之别的“同”字。之所以强调马克思主义在作为思想解放的“第二个结合”中的思想指导作用，不仅在于马克思主义是科学的世界观，只有坚持它的立场和观点，巩固其在意识形态领域的指导地位，才可以确保思想解放的正确方向，更好地实现中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化和创新性发展；而且在于马克思主义也是科学的方法论，唯有坚持以此为遵循，方可充分挖掘并有效激活中国传统文化中的优秀因子，使之与新时代的具体实际有机结合、与民族复兴的历史使命彼此契合，更好地发挥思想解放的作用。

The exertion of Marxism's guiding role requires integration with specific eras and nation-states. History and practice have both fully demonstrated that the reason why the Communist Party of China can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and because Marxism adapted to the Chinese context works. Adhering to the guidance of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is the fundamental basis for us to achieve another ideological emancipation. Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is both the basic guiding principle of ideological emancipation and a major theoretical achievement of ideological emancipation. In the process of continuously advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, Chinese Communists have adhered to emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times, and being pragmatic and realistic, successively establishing Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory, forming the important thought of the "Three Represents" and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and establishing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They have used these systematized major theoretical achievements to further guide ideological emancipation to continuously deepen. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the theoretical achievement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. It is precisely under the guidance of this scientific theoretical system that the "Second Integration" fully demonstrates the great significance of opening up innovative space.

马克思主义指导作用的发挥，需要同特定的时代和民族国家相结合。历史和实践均充分表明，中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行。坚持以中国化时代化的马克思主义为指导，是我们实现又一次思想解放的根本所在。中国化时代化的马克思主义，既是思想解放的基本指导原则，也是思想解放的重大理论成果。在不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化的过程中，中国共产党人坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实，相继创立了毛泽东思想、邓小平理论，形成了“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，并且运用这些体系化的重大理论成果，进一步指导思想解放持续走向深入。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，是马克思主义中国化时代化的理论成果。正是有了这一科学理论体系的指导，“第二个结合”才充分彰显出打开创新空间的重大意义。

Ideological emancipation and ideological unity are organically unified. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The process of emancipating the mind is the process of unifying thought; the purpose of emancipating the mind is to better unify thought." From the Yan'an Rectification Movement to the great discussion on the criterion of truth, and then to the formal proposal of the "Second Integration," [3]3 Xi Jinping, "Hold High the Great Banner…" (2022). every instance of ideological emancipation has been accompanied by ideological unity. On the new journey of the New Era, holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, further emancipating the mind, and implementing the fundamental requirements of the "Second Integration" means adhering to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, persisting in arming the entire Party and educating the people with the latest achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, unifying the thinking of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country under the new ideological coordinates, and unswervingly advancing courageously toward the grand goal of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

思想解放和思想统一是有机统一的。习近平总书记指出：“解放思想的过程就是统一思想的过程，解放思想的目的是为了更好统一思想。”从延安整风到真理标准问题大讨论再到“第二个结合”的正式提出，每一次的思想解放都同思想统一相伴随。新时代新征程，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，进一步解放思想、落实“第二个结合”的根本要求，就是要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚持用马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果武装全党、教育人民，把全党全国各族人民的思想统一到新的思想坐标上来，坚定不移朝着强国建设、民族复兴的宏伟目标奋勇前进。

Criticizing the Errors of Dogmatism and Subjective Biases

批判教条主义和主观偏见的错误

Treating Marxism rationally and applying it accurately, especially avoiding its dogmatization, formalization, empiricization, and utilitarian application, is a matter of principle concerning the guiding role of Marxist thought. It is in this sense that criticizing the errors of dogmatism and subjective biases constitutes a basic element of ideological emancipation. Currently, some dogmatic tendencies and subjective biases—such as insufficient understanding of the relationship between the "First Integration" and the "Second Integration," inadequate comprehension of the great significance of the "Second Integration," and cultural revivalism and conservatism—to a certain extent hinder the manifestation of the "Second Integration" as ideological emancipation, and these require thorough critique.

对马克思主义合理对待和准确运用，特别是避免把它教条化、形式化、经验化、实用化，这是事关马克思主义的思想指导作用的原则性问题。正是在这个意义上，批判教条主义和主观偏见的错误构成了思想解放的一个基本要素。当前，一些教条主义倾向和主观偏见，诸如对“第一个结合”与“第二个结合”之间关系的认识不足、对“第二个结合”重大意义的理解不充分、文化上的复古主义和保守主义等，一定程度上妨碍了“第二个结合”的思想解放意义的彰显，需要对此进行彻底的清算。

Among these, some viewpoints completely ignore the era background and realistic foundation for the formal proposal of the "Second Integration," arguing that China's concrete reality itself includes China's culture and history, thereby concluding that the "Second Integration" already existed within the "First Integration." Other viewpoints hold that the "Second Integration" excessively elevates the status of fine traditional Chinese culture. Although these assertions acknowledge the intrinsic connection between the "Two Integrations," they merely juxtapose the two, obliterating the major theoretical innovation of the "Second Integration" that distinguishes it from the "First Integration." We should, based on the theoretical summation of the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, appeal to the era background in which each emerged and the problem consciousness they possess, to deeply understand the relationship between the "Two Integrations," thereby presenting the unique significance of the "Second Integration" as ideological emancipation. From the "First Integration" to the "Second Integration," it is not only a grasp of the relationship between the basic principles of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, achieving a fundamental progress from "being in itself" and "spontaneous" to "being for itself" and "conscious"; it is also a decisive advancement in the view of civilization, opening up the continuity between the path of Chinese civilization and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, connecting Chinese civilization with socialism with Chinese characteristics, forming the cultural form of modern Chinese civilization and Chinese-path modernization, and presenting a completely new picture different from Western modernization and its civilizational form.

其中，有的观点全然无视“第二个结合”正式提出的时代背景与现实基础，认为中国具体实际本身包括中国的文化和历史在内，由此得出“第二个结合”已经存在于“第一个结合”之中；还有的观点认为“第二个结合”过于抬高了中华优秀传统文化的地位等。这些论断虽然承认“两个结合”之间具有内在关联，但只是将两者并列在一起，抹杀了“第二个结合”有别于“第一个结合”的重大理论创新。应当基于对中国特色社会主义实践的理论总结，诉诸它们各自产生的时代背景以及具有的问题意识，来深入理解“两个结合”之间的关系，以此呈现“第二个结合”独特的思想解放意义。从“第一个结合”到“第二个结合”，不仅是对马克思主义基本原理与中华优秀传统文化之间关系的把握，实现了由“自在”“自发”到“自为”“自觉”的根本性进步；还是文明观的决定性进阶，打通了中华文明道路和中国特色社会主义道路之间的连续性，使中华文明与中国特色社会主义贯通起来，形成中华民族现代文明和中国式现代化的文化形态，展现出不同于西方现代化及其文明形态的全新图景。

Even more, some views erroneously hold that the "Second Integration" means that fine traditional Chinese culture has replaced Marxism's dominant position in the ideological sphere. In the eyes of those with this erroneous tendency, Marxism is merely an external factor in realizing the modern transformation of Chinese civilization, while fine traditional Chinese culture is the "core" of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and the fundamental driving force for renewing the life of Chinese civilization. This claim is actually a double misreading of both Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture. From the moment Marxism was introduced into China, it began to intrinsically fit together with fine traditional Chinese culture. The Sinicization of Marxism and the modernization of fine traditional Chinese culture are different manifestations of the self-renewal of the same cultural life entity. We should profoundly grasp the significance of the "Second Integration" for ideological emancipation from the dimension of further consolidating cultural subjectivity, namely, that it has achieved the comprehensive emancipation of the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation.

更有甚者，一些观点还错误地认为，“第二个结合”意味着中华优秀传统文化已取代马克思主义在意识形态领域的主导地位。在具有此种错误倾向的人看来，马克思主义只是实现中华文明现代转型的外部因素，中华优秀传统文化才是中华民族现代文明的“内核”，是推动中华文明生命更新的根本动力。这种说法实际上是对马克思主义和中华优秀传统文化的双重误读。马克思主义自传入中国起，就开始同中华优秀传统文化内在地契合起来。马克思主义的中国化与中华优秀传统文化的现代化，是同一个文化生命体自我更新的不同表现。应当从进一步巩固文化主体性的维度，深刻把握“第二个结合”的思想解放意义，即实现了中华民族的文化主体性的全面解放。

Furthermore, in response to cultural revivalism and cultural conservatism, especially the tendency to attempt to restore traditional Confucian culture or traditional Daoist culture under the guise of promoting fine traditional Chinese culture, and the absurd rhetoric of making Marxism Confucian or Daoist, it is necessary to promote the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation of upholding integrity without being conservative, respecting antiquity without restoring the old. Starting from the outstanding innovativeness of Chinese civilization, we should deeply elucidate the significance of the "Second Integration" for ideological emancipation, not fearing new challenges, courageously accepting new things, and continuously promoting the prosperity and development of Chinese civilization.

此外，针对文化复古主义和文化保守主义，特别是假借弘扬中华优秀传统文化之名，妄图恢复传统儒家文化或传统道家文化的倾向，使马克思主义儒家化或道家化的荒诞言论，需要弘扬中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神，从中华文明所具有的突出的创新性出发，深入阐释“第二个结合”的思想解放意义，不惧新挑战、勇于接受新事物，不断促进中华文明的繁荣与发展。

Based on the reality of the New Era and solving new problems

立足新时代的实际并解决新问题

Examining the basic constituent elements presented in the connotation of ideological emancipation, if adhering to the guidance of Marxism is the premise, and criticizing the errors of dogmatism and subjective prejudice is the intermediate link and necessary means, then studying new situations and solving new problems is the result and ultimate goal. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Problems are the voice of the times; answering and guiding the resolution of problems is the fundamental task of theory." [1]1 Xi Jinping, "Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects – Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China" (October 16, 2022). Each era has its own problems. It is precisely by raising, analyzing, and solving the problems of the times that people promote the progress of the times and the development of society. Standing at the historical juncture of the New Era, only by making an overall observation of the general trend of historical development and the progressive currents of the times, correctly understanding, profoundly grasping, and effectively solving the problems of the times, and clarifying and completing the central task, can we better demonstrate the great significance of the "Second Integration" as an ideological emancipation.

审视思想解放的内涵中所呈现的基本构成要素，如果说坚持马克思主义指导是前提，批判教条主义和主观偏见的错误是中间环节与必要手段。那么，研究新情况并解决新问题就是结果和最终目的所在。习近平总书记指出：“问题是时代的声音，回答并指导解决问题是理论的根本任务。”每个时代都有属于自己的问题，人们正是通过提出、分析和解决时代问题来推动时代进步与社会发展的。站在新时代的历史方位，只有对历史发展大势和时代进步潮流做出总体性的观照，正确地认识、深刻地把握、有效地解决时代问题，明确并完成中心任务，才能更好地彰显作为思想解放的“第二个结合”的重大意义。

Based on a profound summary of the regular understanding [2]2 "Regular understanding" (规律性认识) is a standard CPC term for theoretical insights that capture the objective laws of a given process. gained by the Communist Party of China in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, General Secretary Xi Jinping formally proposed the "Two Integrations," especially the "Second Integration," and clearly defined "comprehensively building a modern socialist country" and "promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization" as the central tasks of our Party on the new journey of the New Era. [3]3 Xi Jinping, "Hold High the Great Banner…" (2022). At the same time, General Secretary Xi Jinping also defined the "Two Integrations" as the only way to open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound historical foundation of Chinese civilization. [4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at a Symposium on Cultural Heritage" (June 2, 2023). This profound grasp of the problems of the times and clear elaboration of the central task elevate the "Second Integration" to an ideological emancipation. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the era's problem of comprehensively advancing the great cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to accurately understand the cultural foundation of the Chinese path and to profoundly grasp the relationship between Chinese-path modernization and Chinese civilization. On the one hand, the "Second Integration" attributes the opening up and development of the Chinese path to the product under the guidance of Marxism and the result of the accumulation of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization history, endowing the Chinese path with a broader and deeper historical depth while also thickening its cultural foundation. On the other hand, the "Second Integration" enables Chinese-path modernization to present a completely new picture different from Western modernization, highlighting the characteristics of Chinese-path modernization, such as continuing ancient Chinese civilization, being rooted in Chinese soil, and being a product of civilizational renewal. It sets a model for developing countries to independently and autonomously move towards modernization and provides a Chinese solution for humanity's exploration of a better social system.

基于对中国共产党在探索中国特色社会主义道路中得出的规律性认识的深刻总结，习近平总书记正式提出“两个结合”，特别是“第二个结合”，把“全面建成社会主义现代化强国”“以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴”明确作为我们党在新时代新征程上的中心任务。与此同时，习近平总书记还将“两个结合”界定为在中华文明深厚历史基础上开辟和发展中国特色社会主义的必由之路。这种对时代问题的深刻把握和对中心任务的明确阐述，将“第二个结合”提升为一种思想解放。对以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴伟业这个时代问题做出深入分析，需要准确理解中国特色社会主义道路的文化根基，需要深刻把握中国式现代化与中华文明的关系。一方面，“第二个结合”把中国道路的开辟与发展归结为马克思主义指导下的产物和五千多年中华文明史积淀的结果，既赋予了中国道路更加宏阔深远的历史纵深，又厚植了它的文化根基。另一方面，“第二个结合”让中国式现代化展现出不同于西方现代化的全新图景，彰显出中国式现代化所具有的赓续中华古老文明、植根中国大地、文明更新产物等特性，为广大发展中国家独立自主迈向现代化树立了典范，为人类对更好社会制度的探索提供了中国方案。

The "Second Integration" not only solidifies the cultural foundation of the Chinese path but also provides a scientific methodology and guiding principles for solving the fundamental problems faced in the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. Since modern times, the "dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West" [5]5 "古今中西之争" (dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West) refers to the prolonged intellectual and political debate in modern China over how to reconcile traditional Chinese culture with Western modernity. has plagued the Chinese nation. Entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping, standing at a new historical juncture, profoundly grasped China's specific realities. On the basis of adhering to Marxism, he continuously promoted the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby formally proposing the "Second Integration" and elevating it to the level of a fundamental principle for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. This makes us more capable than any previous era of solving the difficult problem of the "dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West." Therefore, we must adhere to the fundamental requirements of the "Second Integration," continuously inherit and develop fine traditional Chinese culture, and persistently promote the localization of foreign cultures, forming a batch of civilizational achievements that connect the ancient and the modern and integrate China and the West. We must continuously consolidate the foundation of the Chinese path and Chinese-path modernization, so that the significance of the "Second Integration" for ideological emancipation is fully demonstrated.

“第二个结合”不仅筑牢了中国道路的文化根基，而且为破解强国建设与民族复兴伟业中所面临的根本性问题，提供了科学的方法论和指导性原则。自近代以降，“古今中西之争”一直困扰着中华民族。进入新时代，习近平总书记站在新的历史方位深刻把握中国具体实际，在坚持马克思主义的基础上，不断推动中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化、创新性发展，进而正式提出了“第二个结合”，并且将它上升到马克思主义中国化时代化的根本原则的高度，使得我们比过去任何一个时代都更有条件破解“古今中西之争”难题。由此，我们必须坚持“第二个结合”的根本要求，不断传承发展中华优秀传统文化、持续促进外来文化本土化，形成一批贯通古今、融汇中西的文明成果，不断夯实中国道路和中国式现代化的根基，使“第二个结合”所具有的思想解放意义得到充分彰显。

Online editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗